CHANDIGARH, July 18 — Ranjit Singh Gill, a prominent realtor from Kharar and halqa incharge of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has resigned from the party’s primary membership, signaling discontent over internal appointments and growing outside influence in his constituency.
A long-time ally of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Gill’s departure is being viewed as a blow to the party’s local organisational strength. “For some time now, the party has been ignoring the contributions of my workers,” Gill said. “Outsiders had begun to take over in Kharar, and the new office bearers were not welcomed by my team. This decision reflects the will of the people of Kharar — I am simply following it.”
Gill contested the Punjab Assembly elections twice from Kharar on a SAD ticket — in 2017 and 2022 — finishing third and second, respectively. In the last election, he lost by a wide margin to AAP’s Anmol Gagan Mann.
The 2022 electoral defeat, followed by a December raid on Gill’s residence and office at Gillco Valley by the Income Tax Department, reportedly added to the growing strain between the realtor-turned-politician and the party leadership.
Though Gill maintains that he continues to respect the Badal family, he said local realities forced his decision. “I still have the same regard for the Badals,” he said. “But I cannot ignore the ground sentiment in Kharar.”
Party insiders indicated that Gill is likely to align with a national party, most likely the BJP, though he said no formal decision has been made yet. “Whether I contest independently or align with a party, that is still under consideration,” he added.
Gill began his career in real estate in Rupnagar in 1990 before moving operations to Kharar, where he established the sprawling Gillco Valley township. His current ventures include projects along Mohali’s Airport Road and in IT City.
With Gill’s exit, the SAD may face further challenges in regaining ground in Kharar, a key constituency where local dissent has simmered in recent months.
